Breastfeeding questions

[chrangharris]

Such great answers!! I never really limited my diet- just made sure I got lots to drink. I'm not a soda drink and really only drink milk and water. If my supply would start to decrease, I would increase my water and that would help!! I never noticed a certain food would bother any of the girls and I love my garlic and onions. I do know of some babies it would bother so just trial and error!

As far as the pain, I would use Lanolin cream or express a bit of my milk onto my nipple and that would help heal the cracks!

A good lactation counselor is a God-send!!

As for how long. My oldest I nursed for 13 months. We were both ready to wean. I'm still nursing my youngest and hope to for at least a year. At a year we'll decide what we want to do- we might keep going or we might wean. I've been blessed with very supportive family and friends. Like Cataholic said, their ignorance is bliss and do what you feel is best for your child!!

Good luck!!

[luckies4me]

Great news!!! He has latched on perfectly all night long and this morning, so this means we are making progress! I can't tell you how much better it feels to breastfeed when he's properly latched on. Such a huge difference! So hopefully this means I can work harder at trying to wean him off the shield.

I think he's finally getting the concept that he cannot bite on mommy. Or at least I'm hoping. *keeping fingers crossed*

Now I just gotta wait for the nipples to heal.

I do have the Lanolin but it just doesn't seem to have helped, nor has the breastmilk on the nipple thing. :/ I still do it though, just in case I'm not noticing a difference. I have Soothies which my mom and the lactation consultant got me and they have helped with the nipple pain tremendously! But this morning I had soaked one completely so it looks like I need to go get another pack. It's a bummer too as they are so expensive. Worth it though!

[trayi52]

Makes me proud to hear of you young girls all breast feeding your babies! Seems like mine were always bothered by onions and chocolate, always making me leave my favorite chocolate off, and of course pizza was a no, no for me. Too spicy for Lindsey!

I got all sore too, it hurt too, but well I just toughed it out. Other things that went along with it, like I even got milk fever. That was no fun, but I still kept it up anyway. Best thing I ever did, wish I had breastfed my other two, I really missed out on a lot, and I mean a lot! Just too immature, I guess, I mean I know!

Willie

[chrangharris]

Have you tried cabbage leaves? That is supposed to help.

Willie- I love being able to nurse my little ones- it is such a special time!

[luckies4me]

No I haven't tried it yet. Does it really work? I remember reading about that in the pamphlet my doctor gave me about breastfeeding.

Oh and I spoke too soon about the biting. He bit me three times this morning!

[AdoreMyDogs]

Cabbage leaf is only good when you are engorged. It helps to reduce the ademia (swealing), but it also will reduce the milk supply so you can only use it twice a day for 20 minutes at a time. You do not want to use it to help soreness, that's not what it'll fix. If you are injured use breast shells (a hard, plastic shell that prevents anything from touching your nipple, making healing quicker), 100% pure lanolin, and expressed breast milk. Don't use cabbage leaf for injured nipples, it won't hurt them, but it won't help them and it WILL dry your milk supply up.

Here's a picture of the nipple shell. They were a lifesaver for me. I used them for probablly 2 months. They look kind of funny when you wear them, but boy do they help.


The lactation consultants at the hospital I gave birth to Quinn at helped me so much. They actually gave me my nipple shield, my nipple shells, and a bunch of lanolin for free. Ask them if they have any nipple shells, they're WONDERFUL for sore nipples. If you can get the stuff for free that'll be so much easier on your pocket book.

[luckies4me]

Ya I made sure to ask for lots of lanolin when I was at the hospital lol, as I knew I would need it. I got the nipple shield for free, thank goodness. I have heard about the shells. My actual nipples are healing, but around the nipple at the base is where it is sore from him biting. I will definitely try the shells. Were you easily able to wean her onto your regular breast? That is my main goal. I want to get to a point where I don't have to use any of those gadgets. Thankfully I'm not engorged. If I get a little full I just pump and stick it in the fridge. He does a pretty good job at sucking me dry though. He's a non stop feeding machine.

I just feel bad. I wish I could just feed him reguarly. *sigh*

[luckies4me]

Great news! I fed him three times today without the shield and no biting. I think we are making progress.